The Slots games industry has become the largest and most popular sector within online gambling. This is largely down to the ever-evolving technology that is helping the industry to grow year upon year. Today we will take an in-depth look at some of the most popular games and delve into the design and technology behind their success. There are many different segments that make up a modern-day slot machine game, from the aesthetics right through to the mathematics behind the payout percentages using random number generators.
Most traditional slot games used either numbers or fruit symbols, and the slot games themselves featured three reels. While you can still find these conventional slot games, much has changed over the years, not least the number of reels used for each game. The average number of reels is now five, and some even have more than this. This increases the number of winning combinations available to the player. The symbols are now replaced with whatever theme that particular game is trying to portray. For example, a slot game based on sport might use footballs, tennis rackets, and basketballs. The possibilities are endless, which makes this market so popular as there is something for everyone. Tools such as Photoshop, Maya, and JavaScript are used to design these graphics. However, it’s not enough to look the part, slot games nowadays have to sound the part also, and sound engineers are hired to be included in this process. The user experience is also a key consideration in terms of the slot game’s design as it needs to be aesthetically pleasing to the eye, entertain the user, and be easy to understand and follow. There is plenty of research conducted that ultimately goes into this process. The developers need to understand their audience and what will and won’t work. Let’s look at some of the top gaming titles and see what makes them so popular.
Gonzo’s Quest
The Gonzos Quest slot game is one of NetEnt’s most popular titles. It is set around a Spanish conquistador called Gonzo. The idea of the game is to reunited Gonzo with his hidden stash of gold. This is a beautifully animated game that has some great special features. This game was one of the first to use the avalanche reels, where a winning symbol would be replaced with another one, which essentially gives you a free spin. The graphics are excellent, and the game is set in the jungle, where Gonzo embarks on his adventures. It’s a very glitzy design that is very striking to the eye. There are some lovely cut scenes and intro videos that are fun to watch. The sound is brilliant and sits well within the game as it reacts to whatever is happening at the turn of your spin. The biggest compliment you can give this game is that it has stood the test of time as it has been around for about a decade now. It became the benchmark that all other slot games had to measure up to. The game was revamped for mobile and tablet platforms, but the essence of the game has remained. There is also a virtual reality version of the game, which brings the game and Gonzo to life.
Slingo Rainbow Riches
The much-loved Rainbow Riches game has been redesigned here and now features bingo in this newer version of the game. Rainbow Riches Slingo looks and sounds just as you’d expect. Is this a game of Slingo or a game of Rainbow Riches? The fact is, it doesn’t make a difference! Players of both games will recognize the look. Fans of the Rainbow Riches slot machine will recognize the music. The music and sound effects were also taken straight from the original game. The gameplay is identical to that of other Slingo games. You begin by spinning ten times, each time releasing five numbers corresponding to a location on the card. Slingo is when you mark off numbers in a pattern that forms horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines. To get to the bonus rounds, you’ll need to collect five of them. If you haven’t hit five Slingos by the end of your ten spins, you can either stop the game or gamble to get more spins and advance further up the winning table into the bonus rounds.
Bonanza
The Megaways game engine is used in the Bonanza slot. With six reels, each of which can contain anywhere from two to seven symbols, the number of ways to win changes with each spin. You’ll get the whole number of 117,649 Megaways if you see seven symbols on each reel. Starting with reel one, winning combinations are created when the same symbol appears on adjacent reels. To get a winning mix, you’ll need matching symbols on reels 1, 2, and 3 at the very least. Any time you win, the contributing symbols vanish and are replaced by new ones, giving you another chance to win. The Bonanza slot machine has a good style. The scene is set in a mine with a mining theme and is set on hills with huts and waterfalls in the background. The graphics aren’t as sharp as those in newer slots, but that adds to its charm. The soundtrack is one of the first things you’ll notice when playing. It has an upbeat and thrilling hillbilly-style backing track. Bonanza Megaways has the feel of a live casino slot, which I believe is a big reason for its popularity.
Many online casinos now allow you to play these games for free before spending any money on them. Of course, you won’t be able to keep any winnings, but it will help you decide what games you prefer. As mentioned, there are thousands of different themes, so head to an online casino and check out what themes suit you. As well as the chance of winning some decent prize money, you will benefit from hours of endless entertainment.